It is a full meeting this week (Agenda here) but this is going to be a quick post. After an Executive session on litigation issues (Federal — ?! — and personal injury), the main meeting commences at 6:00 PM (Doyle Administration Bldg. 545 W. Dayton Street, Auditorium). Like almost all Board meetings, this will be carried by MMSD-TV.

Budget matters (all the district info linked here) are last on the agenda but first on everyone’s minds, so I’m going to start there.

As noted previously Board Members agreed to work through the remaining Budget Options and share their “yes, no and maybe” lists. These were due last Friday. because of open meetings concerns, these have not been shared, but may be available to Board Members (and the public I hope) at the meeting.

There has been one update to the Board/Admin Q&As since March 29 on Discussion Items 201-228 (I actually don’t see anything new, but the section is dates April 12).

I also don’t see any updates or much needed fixes to the Budget Book as of this writing.

The very last item on a full agenda is “2010-11 MMSD Budget Reduction and Efficiency Options for Addressing the Property Tax Impact of and Revenue Gap within the Projected 2010-11 District Budget.” It is starred for possible action.

Now from the top.

First is a resolution of thanks to Johnny Winston Jr. This is his last meeting. Thanks Johnny (a fuller thanks here).

Next, Public Appearances. It will be interesting to see if people show up en masse on Budget things, or if they wait for the Public Hearing on Sunday (April 18th at 1:00 pm at Warner Park Community Recreation Center — 1625 Northport Dr).

Board President’s Announcements follow, including the receipt of a $10,000 Toyota TAPESTRY grant for excellence and innovation in science education by one of my favorite activist teachers, Troy Dassler. Congratulations!

Two important items in the Superintendent’s Announcements and Reports. First is the Board of Education/Superintendent Communication Goal Action Plan. It looks like some minor modifications from the March version. Some thoughts on that version in this post and this one too. Things like the facilities matter mentioned above and the Budget Book problems (as well as some of the back-and-forth at recent meetings) indicate that the communications issues are pretty bad right now. The plan is start, but not a panacea.